Values in Action

“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.” –Jane Jacobs, civic activist and journalist

True communities are built upon strong relationships and shared values: the way we take care of ourselves, each other, and our surroundings. I hold a vision for an Olympia that is safe, accessible and accountable to all—an Olympia built by and for everyone—and I have the experience to move toward it.

My approach for solving our common challenges comes from my experience as a community advocate in Olympia, where nothing is achieved without working together–as well as policy research shared from friends and contacts across the political spectrum. No person or party has a monopoly on good ideas! I want to bring people together for a Livable Olympia.

Together we can:

Ensure people who work, create, raise kids and retire in Olympia can afford to live in the best city in the South Sound. This means addressing Olympia’s housing inventory shortage by updating zoning, codes, and providing incentives to build, especially within the “infill” (the footprint of land already developed).

Reduce homelessness through Housing First programs, accessible supportive resources, and prevention measures. Support stopgap measures including

Promote environmental stewardship: restore healthy waterways, expand parks and community gardens, preserve open spaces, ensure development respects natural systems. Mitigate the effects of shoreline rise, and decide as a community how to fairly adapt and pay for rising shoreline levels downtown.

Enhance public safety through neighborhood-based solutions for safe communities, support for communities targeted by hate groups; data-driven measures to minimize the impacts of homelessness through measures to protect public and environmental health, and progressive community policing.

Promote local economic development: ensure small businesses, urban farms, and musicians and artists enjoy a broad base of support from a community invested in their success.

Encourage participation in city decisions by individuals, neighborhoods and communities, especially when they are directly affected by a decision. We rise to meet our greatest community challenges by hearing and learning from the people most affected by them. Instead of expecting you to come to City Hall for a formal meeting where decisions have already been made, I will hold frequent, informal neighborhood listening sessions, so we’re making things right block by block, from the ground up.

If you share these values and priorities, please email RenataForCouncil@gmail.com and endorse my campaign for Olympia City Council. Thank you so much for your support.